Thursday, April 28, 2011

It's not all about muscle and strength. It's about moving from one position to the next trying to gain the dominate position. You need to use your head, stay relaxed. Use your opponents momentum to your advantage. If a certain move isn't working, don't burn out all your energy on something that isn't working, you need to transition quickly and move on. Try something else. Work smarter not harder. Sometimes I think life is like a continuous grappling match. Keep moving, think, transition is inevitable. Don't give up on your goals but sometimes you may need to change your game plan to achieve them.

Monday, April 25, 2011

Woke up this morning and...
Made bed, got coffee, checked emails, news and tee shirt websites, showered, dressed.
Out the door...
went to the bank, Lowes, friend's house briefly to drop off something.
Back at home...
picked up random clutter, mowed lawn, ran out of gas, got gas, finished lawn.
Showered again, cleaned bathroom.
Out the door again....
took teenage son to appointment, drop him off at friend's house after appointment, food store, CVS, drop stuff off at house, right back out the door to picked up teenage daughter.
Back home again...
cleaned kitchen, made dinner, ate dinner, cleaned kitchen
Out the door again...
took teenage daughter to guitar lessons.
Back home.... finally
sitting down with my laptop. (for a few minutes) Laundry is beckoning me.

Thursday, April 21, 2011

When one works out with vigor, you tend to be a little sore the next day or two days after. Most cases you can think back to which exercise caused the sore muscles. But sometimes you move and a muscle is sore and you have no idea why. You start thinking what the heck did I do for this muscle to be sore. Was it something in kick boxing. What combinations did I throw? Was in grappling? What moves were we working on? Was it during strength training that I pushed this muscle to the limits and beyond? Sometime you just can't recall. I am not sure if is because I am old or what.
But sore muscles are good. Knowing you worked out hard is a good feeling. Progressing to your goal of a healthier fit you. Waking up the next day in serious discomfort and pain is a bad thing. That just means you over did it. Now you need to take time off from training to heal. Slowing your progression. Very frustrating.
Work out hard but don't do damage. It can be a very fine line.

Ninja Shopping Wednesday is here. As I was browsing different sites I came across these Ninjas for sale. I have these ninja toys. But mine are not as nice and shiny as these and I have never gotten such a nice green. Do you realize I have to buy these ninjas now. Just to compare. And I want that green.

Now if they are not as the picture shows I am going to be really not surprised. But just in case I will fork out the $4.59 for 12.

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

I have been thinking a great deal about death lately. Well not exactly death but how people react to it. How everyone deals with it. There is no proper way to deal with the passing of another human being. I have dealt with death many times. I have witnessed many ways individuals survive the days, months and even years. Yes survive is the correct word. Because sometimes that is exactly what one has to do to go on. The thing that bothers me the most when someone dies is when another expects someone to act a certain way. Actually it doesn't bother me, it infuriates me. Let people grieve the way they need to grieve. Be it quiet, loud, stoic, emotions for all to see. If they need to be the strong one. Let them. If they need to be the one who needs to be constantly comforted. Let them. If they need to be the one in charge. Let them. There is so many ways I have seen people deal. I will not list them all. I try and keep my blog simple and to the point.

How would a Ninja deal with the death of another? In their own way just like everyone else.

Be thankful.

(I am sure you have guessed, someone died. Bringing these thoughts to the front of my mind to ponder. My thoughts are with their family.)

Monday, April 18, 2011

We all do. If you say you don't, you lie. Granted, some issues are bigger than others but we all got them. Our issues are part of what makes us who we are. It's makes some people down right interesting, if not entertaining.

So what do we do about our issues? We deal with them, function with them, laugh at them.

Ninjas, I am sure, like everyone else have issues but never let them rule their actions, let alone their lives.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Now on the street in a self defense situation I have no problem doing what it takes to defend myself. I will use all knowledge I have learned to destroy anyone who thinks they have the right to hurt me in anyway. And I will fight dirty as dirty can be to prolong my life. Now on the mat it is a different story. I respect my opponent and try to keep them safe and myself while free sparring or grappling. I do this by following the rules on the mat, staying calm and having fun. Do people, or I, still get hurt from time to time? Yes, it is a contact sport. Bumps and bruises mostly. Broken bones very rarely. My Sensei is all about keeping his students safe.

I had the experience recently in a submission grappling class where my opponent did some illegal and dirty moves. I did not get mad. I found it very interesting. She was actually a pretty good grappler and I was surprised in her actions. But I am a pretty good grappler too.

I had to make a choice. I could choose to play her game and fight dirty right on back. I could choose to play by the rules on the mat. I chose to play by the rules on the mat. My reasoning was and is, to teach her that you don't need dirty tricks to win. Did I win? Yes. I dominated the round and I did so within the rules on the mat.

Do I think she is a mean person? No. I found her quite friendly and nice off the mat. Maybe it is how she was taught to grapple. I don't know. What I do know is if I had chose to play her game of dirty tricks I would feel horrible now and for weeks to come. I am kind of funny that way.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Not training formally at the Dojo tonight. My body needs a day to heal. But I am a firm believer you should do something everyday. Even if it is mowing the lawn. (riding mower does not count.) Now I know walking on a treadmill is more efficient workout when it comes to walking. You set a speed, an incline and go for a specific amount of time. But there is nothing like a walk in the wonderful outdoors. The smell of the trees, flowers, and freshly cut grass. The sounds of the birds, children at play and the occasional dog barking. The fresh air in my lungs and on my skin. The walk outside may not be as intense as one on the treadmill but it is far more beneficial when you factor in the positive effect on your state of mind.

Monday, April 11, 2011

Do you ever look at another and compare yourself to them?
I do. I hate that I do. Tell myself to stop. But I still do.
Physically, Professionally, Creatively.
I am never jealous when someone is more fit than me
I am never jealous when someone is more successful than me
I am never jealous when someone is more talented than me.
I am actually happy for them. Good for them is my take on it.
What I am is disappointed in myself.
I should be more fit.
I should be more successful.
I should strengthen my talents.
So is it a good thing or a bad thing to compare.
It depends on how you look at it.
First view - do not judge yourself by other people's accomplishments. You are not them. Be yourself and strive to be the best you.
Second view - a little competition goes a long way. Will comparing myself to others motivate me to achieve more.
I think both views have merit but view one could have the downfall, well this is my best and you make excuses not to strive for more. Second view - You waste a lot of time beating yourself up. If you are going to compare, get a plan and execute it.

I would like to think a Ninja would just compare themselves to the person they were yesterday.
Everyday trying to be a little better than the day before.

Every morning just before breakfastI don't want no coffee or teaJust me and good buddy WiserThat's all I ever need'Cause I drink alone, yeahWith nobody elseYeah, you know when I drink aloneI prefer to be by myself[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/g/george_thorogood/i_drink_alone.html ]The other night I laid sleepingAnd I woke from a terrible dreamSo I caught up my pal Jack Daniel'sAnd his partner Jimmy BeamAnd we drank alone, yeahWith nobody elseYeah, you know when I drink aloneI prefer to be by myself

The other day I got invited to a partyBut I stayed home insteadJust me and my pal Johnny WalkerAnd his brothers Black and RedAnd we drank alone, yeahWith nobody elseYeah, you know when I drink aloneI prefer to be by myself

My whole family done give up on meAnd it makes me feel oh so badThe only one who will hang out with meIs my dear Old Grand-DadAnd we drink alone, yeahWith nobody elseYeah, you know when I drink aloneI prefer to be by myself

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Fear is an interesting emotion. It has stopped many in their tracks. Not willing to go any further, the fear of what may happen immobilizing them. The fear you may get hurt. Physically or emotionally. But realistically not really knowing the outcome stopping you from your path.
Now one's courage has the ability to over ride a person's fear. My Sensei tells the children classes that courage is like a hammer pounding away at fear. Squashing it down. I like the analogy. Courage chipping away the fear. Giving you the ability to overcome your fear to achieve your goal.
Now sometimes though, there are times when there is no time for fear. You must react. Deal with the situation without pause. Do what you have to do to survive. It is only after that you realize "Hey that was kind of scary. Hell, I could have died. YIKES!. What the F*** was I thinking?"

I like to think Ninjas do not have the luxury of fear till well after the battle is won.
Never having pause. Doing what needs to be done. Accomplishing the task at hand the moment it arises.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

I baked home made chocolate chip cookies with my daughter tonight. FROM SCRATCH!

I exhibited Ninja worthy self control tonight. Stuck to my diet and did not even taste the cookie dough. Did not bite into even one freshly baked cookie. Not a morsel of the tasty goodness touch my lips. (pun intended)

That is what I call Ninja Self Discipline.

Why yes, I am patting myself on the back and telling myself I did a good job.

Too many times we beat ourselves up for our mistakes, even the little ones. So why not tell myself I did a good job, even the little ones. I would like to remember the feeling of success to give me motivation to achieve it again.